38tU Congress; ) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Ex. Doc. 

2d Session. ) \ No. i. 



MESSAGE 



PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 

ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS, 

TO THE 

TWO HOUSES OF CONGRESS, 



THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SECOND SESSION 



OP 



THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS. 



PA11T I. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOV E II N IM E X T P R I N T 1 N G OFFICE 
18G4 



MESSAGE. 



Fellow-citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives : 

Again the blessings of health and abundant harvests claim our profoundest 
gratitude to Almighty God. 

The condition of our foreign affairs is reasonably satisfactory. 

Mexico continues to be a theatre of civil war. While our political relations 
with that country have undergone no change, Ave have, at the same time, strictly 
maintained neutrality between the belligerents. 

At the request of the states of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, a competent en- 
gineer has been authorized to make a survey of the river San Juan and the port of 
San Juan. It is a source of much satisfaction that the difficulties which for a 
moment excited some political apprehensions, and caused a closing of the inter- 
oceanic transit route, have been amicably adjusted, and that there is a good 
prospect that the route will soon be reopened with an increase of capacity and 
adaptation. We could not exaggerate either the commercial or the political im- 
portance of that great improvement. 

It would be doing injustice to an important South American state not 
to acknowledge the directness, frankness, and cordiality with which the 
United States of Colombia have entered into intimate relations with this gov- 
ernment. A claims convention has been constituted to complete the unfinished 
work of the one which closed its session in 1SG1. 

The new liberal constitution of Venezuela having gone into effect with the 
universal acquiescence of the people, the government under it has been recog- 
nized, and diplomatic intercourse with it has opened in a cordial and friendly 
spirit. The long-dc.forred Aves Island claim has been satisfactorily paid and 
discharged. 

Mutual payments have been made of the claims awarded by the late joint 

i commission for the settlement of claims between the United States and Pen:. 

An earnest and cordial friendship continues to exist between the two countries. 

and such efforts as were in my power have been used to remove misunderstanding 

and avert a threatened war between Peru and Spain. 

Our relations are of the most friendly nature with Chili, the Argentine 
Republic, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San Salvador, and Ilayti. 

During the past year no differences of any kind have arisen with any of 
those republics, and, on the other hand, their sympathies with the United 
States are constantly expressed with cordiality and earnestness. 



4 \NNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 

',0 0? 

The claim arising from the seizure of the cargo of the brig Macedonian in 
1S21 has been paid in full by the government of Chili. 

Civil war continues in the Spanish part of San Domingo, apparently without 
prospect of an early close. 

( (facial correspondence has been freely opened with Liberia, and it gives us 
a pleasing view of social and political progress in that republic. It may be 
expected to derive new vigor from American influence, improved by the rapid 
disappearance of slavery in the United States. 

I solicit your authority to furnish to the republic a gunboat at moderate cost, 
to be reimbursed to the United States by instalments. Such a vessel is needed 
for the safety of that state against the native African races ; and in Liberian 
hands it would be more effective in arresting the African slave trade than a 
squadron in our own hands. The possession of the least organized naval force 
would stimulate a generous ambition in the republic, and the confidence which 
we should manifest by furnishing it would win forbearance and favor towards 
the colony from all civilized nations. 

The proposed overland telegraph between America and Europe, by the way 
of Behring's Straits and Asiatic Russia, which was sanctioned by Congress at 
the last session, has been undertaken, under very favorable circumstances, by 
an association of American citizens, with the cordial good-will and support as 
well of this government as of those of Great Britain and Russia. Assur- 
ances have been received from most of the South American states of their high 
appreciation of the enterprise, and their readiness to co-operate in constructing 
lines tributary to that world-encircling communication. I learn, with much satis- 
faction, that the noble design of a telegraphic communication between the eastern 
coast of America and Great Britain has been renewed with full expectation 
of its early accomplishment. 

Thus it is hoped, that with the return of domestic peace the country will 
be able to resume with energy and advantage its former high career of com- 
merce and civilization. 

Our very popular and estimable representative in Egypt died in April last. 
An unpleasant altercation which arose between the temporary incumbent of 
the oilice mid the government of the Pacha resulted in a suspension of in- 
tercourse. The evil was promptly corrected on the arrival of the successor 
in the consulate, and our relations with Egypt, as well as our relations with 
the Barbary powers, are entirely satisfactory. 

The rebellion which has so long been flagrant in China has at last been 
suppressed, with the co-operating good offices of this government, and of 
the other western commercial states. The judicial consular establishment there 
has become very difficult and onerous, and it will need legislative revision to 
adapt it to the extension of our commerce, and to the more intimate inter- 
course which has been instituted with the government and people of that vast 
empire. China seems to be accepting with hearty good-will the conventional 
laws which regulate commercial and social intercourse among the western nations. 

Owing to the peculiar situation of Japan, and the anomalous form of its 



ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 5 

government, the action of that empire in performing treaty Stipulations is 
inconstant and capricious. Nevertheless, good progress has been effected by the 
western powers, moving with enlightened concert. Our own pecuniary claims have 

been allowed, or put in course of settlement, and the inland sea has been 
reopened to commerce. There is reason also to believe that these proceedings 
have increased rather than diminished the friendship of Japan towards the 
United States. 

The ports of Norfolk, Pernandina, and Pensacola have been opened by procla- 
mation. It is hoped that foreign merchants will now consider whether it is not 
safer and more profitable to themselves, as well as just to the United States, 
to resort to these and other open ports, than it is to pursue, through many 
hazards, and at vast cost, a contraband trade with oilier ports which are closed, 
■f not by actual military occupation, at least by a lawful and effective blockade. 

For myself, I have no doubt of the power and duty of the Executive, under 
the law of nations, to exclude enemies of the human race from an asylum in the 
United States. If Congress should think that proceedings in such cases lack 
the authority of law, or ought to be further regulated by it, 1 recommend that 
provision be made for effectually preventing foreign slave traders from acquir- 
ing domicile and facilities for their criminal occupation in our country. 

It is possible that, if it were a new and open question, the maritime 
j towers, with the lights they iioav enjoy, would not concede the priv- 
ileges of a 'naval belligerent to the insurgents of the United States, desti- 
tute, as they are, and always have been, equally of ships-of- war and of ports 
and harbors. Disloyal emissaries have been neither less assiduous nor mor< 
successful during the last year than they were before that time in their efforts, 
under favor of that privilege, to embroil our country in foreign wars. The 
d -;!'e and determination of the governments of the maritime states to ('.'feat 
that design are believed to be as sincere as, and cannot be more earnest than, 
our own. Nevertheless, unforeseen political difficulties have arisen, especially 
in Brazilian and British ports, and on the northern boundary of the United 
States, which have required, and are. likely to continue to require, the practice 
of constant vigilance, and a just and conciliatory spirit on the part of the 
United States as well as of the nations concerned and their governments* 

Commissioners have been appointed, under the treaty with Great Britain, on. 
the adjustment of the claims of the Hudson's Bay and Puget's Sound Agricul- 
tural Companies, in Oregon, and are now proceeding to the execution of the 
trust assigned to them. 

In. view of the insecurity of life and property in the region adjacent to the 
Canadian border, by reason of recent assaults and depredations committed by 
inimical and desperate persons, who are harbored there, it has been thought proper 
to give notice that after the expiration of six mouths, the period conditionally 
stipulated in the existing arrangement with Great Britain, the United States 
must hold themselves at liberty to increase their naval armament upon the 
lakes, if they shall find that proceeding necessary. The condition of the border 
will necessarily com ■ into consideration in connection with the question of con- 



b ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 

tinning or modifying the rights of transit from Canada through the United 
States, as well as the regulation of imposts, which were temporarily established 
by the reciprocity treaty of the 5th June, 1S54. 

I desire, however, to be understood, while making this statement, that the 
colonial authorities of Canada are not deemed to be intentionally unjust or un- 
friendly towards the United States; but, on the contrary, there is every reason 
to expect that, with the approval of the imperial government, they will take 
the necessary measures to prevent new incursions across the border. 

The act passed at the last session for the encouragement of emigration has, 
so far as was possible, been put into operation. It seems to need amendment 
which will enable the officers of the government to prevent the practice of frauds 
against the immigrants while on their way, and on their arrival in the ports, so 
as to secure them here a free choice of avocations and places of settlement. A 
liberal disposition towards this great national policy is manifested by most of 
the European states, and ought to be reciprocated on our part by giving the 
immigrants effective national protection. I regard our emigrants as one of 
the principal replenishing streams w hi ch are appointed by Providence to repair 
the ravages of internal war, and its wastes of national strength and health. All 
that is necessary is to secure the flow of that stream in its present fullness, and 
to that end the government must, in every way, make it manifest that it neither 
needs nor designs to impose involuntary military service upon those who come 
from other lands to cast their lot in our country. 

The financial affairs of the government have been successfully administered 
during the last year. The legislation of the last session of Congress has bene- 
ficially affected the revenues, although sufficient time has not yet elapsed to 
experience the full effect of several of the provisions of the acts of Congress 
imposing increased taxation. 

The receipts during the year, from all sources, upon the basis of warrants 
signed by the Secretary of the Treasury, including loans and the balance in the 
treasury on the first day of July, 18G3, were 81,394,796,007 62 ; and the ag- 
gregate disbursements, upon the same basis, were $1,293,056,101 89, leaving a 
balance in the treasury, as shown by warrants, of $96,739,905 73. 

Deduct from these amounts the amount of the principal of the public debt 
redeemed, and the amount of issues in substitution therefor, and the actual cash 
operations of the treasury were: receipts, 88^4,076,646 57; disbursements, 
8865, 234, 0S7 86 ; which leaves a cash balance in the treasury of $18,842,538 71. 

Of the receipts, there were derived from customs 8102,316,152 99; from 
lands, $5S8,333 29; from direct taxes, 8175, 64S 96; from internal revenue, 
8109,741,134 10; from miscellaneous sources, 847,511,448 10; and from loans 
applied to actual expenditures, including former balance, 8623,443,929 13. 

There were disbursed, for the civil service, §27,505,599 46; for pensions and 
Indians, 87,517,930 97; for the War Department, $690,791,S42 97 ; for 
the Navy Department, $S5,733,292 77; for interest of the public debt, 
- 53,685,421 69— making an aggregate of $865,234,087 86, and leaving a bal- 
ance in the treasury of 818,842,558 71, as before stated. 



ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 7 

For the actual receipts and disbursements for the first quarter, and the 
mated receipts and disbursements for the three remaining quarters of the cum:,: 
fiscal year, and the general operations of the treasury in detail, I refer you to 
the report of the Secretary of the Treasury. I concur with him in the opinion 
that the proportion of moneys required to meet the expenses consequent upon the 
war derived from taxation should be still further increased; and I earnestly in- 
vite your attention to this subject, to the end that there may be such additional 
legislation as shall be required to meet the just expectations of the Secretary. 

The public debt on the first day of July last, as appears by the books of the 
treasury, amounted to $ 1,740, 090, 4S9 49. Probably, should the war continue 
for another year, that amount may be increased by not far from five hundred 
millions. Held as it is, for the most part, by our own people, it has become a 
substantial branch of national, though private, property. For obvious reasons, 
the more nearly this property can be distributed among all the people the better. 
To fiivor such general distribution, greater inducements to become owners might, 
perhaps, with good effect, and without injury, be presented to persons of limited 
means. With this view, I suggest whether it might not be both competent and 
expedient for Congress to provide that a limited amount of some future issr 
public securities might be held by any bona fide purchaser exempt from tax- 
ation, and from seizure for debt, under such restrictions and limitations as might 
be necessary to guard against abuse of so important a privilege. This would 
enable every prudent person to set aside a small annuity against a possible day 
of want. 

Privileges like these would render the possession of such securities, to the 
amount limited, most desirable to every person of small means who mig!:: 
able to save enough for the purpose. The great advantage of citizens being 
creditors as well as debtors, with relation to the public debt, is obvious. Men 
readily perceive that they cannot be much oppressed by a debt which they owe 
to themselves. 

The public debt on the first day of July last, although somewhat exceeding 
the estimate of the Secretary of the Treasury made to Congress at the com- 
mencement of the last session, falls short of the estimate of that officer made 
in the preceding December, as to its probable amount at the beginning of this 
year, by the sum of $3,995,097 31. This fact exhibits a satisfactory condition 
and conduct of the operations of the treasury. 

The national banking system is proving to be acceptable to capitalists and to 
the people. On the twenty-fifth day of November live hundred and eighty- 
four national banks had been organized, a considerable number of which 
were conversions from State banks. Changes from State systems to the 
national system are rapidly taking place, and it is hoped that, very soon, 
there will be in the United States no banks of issue not authorized by 
Congress, and no bank-note circulation not secured by tin 1 government. That 
the government and the people will derive great benefit from this chang 
in the banking systems of the country can hardly be questioned. The national 
system will create a reliable and permanent influence in support of the national 



8 ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 

credit, and protect* the people against losses in the use of paper money. 
Whether or not any further legislation is advisable for the suppression of State 
bank issues, it will be for Congress to determine. It seems quite clear that 
the treasury cannot be satisfactorily conducted unless the government can exer- 
cise a restraining power over the bank-note circulation of the country. 

The report of the Secretary of War and the accompanying documents will 
detail the campaigns of the armies in the field since the date of the last annual 
message, and also the operations of the several administrative bureaus of the 
War Department during the last year. It will also specify the measures deemed 
essential for the national defence, and to keep up and supply the requisite mili- 
tary force. 

The report of the Secretary of the Navy presents a comprehensive and sat- 
isfactory exhibit of the affairs of that department and of the naval service. It 
is a subject of congratulation and laudable pride to our countrymen that, a navy 
of such vast proportions has been organized in so brief a period, and conducted 
with so much efficiency and success. 

The general exhibit of the navy, including vessels under construction on the 
1st of December, 1864, shows a total of 671 vessels, carrying 4,610 guns, and 
of 510,396 tons, being an actual increase during the year, over and above all 
losses by shipwreck or in battle, of S3 vessels, 167 guns, and 42,427 tons. 

The total number of men at this time in the naval service, including officers, 
is about 51,000. 

There have been captured by the navy during the year 324 vessels, and the 
whole number of naval captures since hostilities commenced is 1,379, of which 
267 are steamers. 

The gross proceeds arising from the sale of condemned prize property, thus 
far reported, amount to $14,396,250 51. A large amount of such proceeds is 
still under adjudication and yet to be reported. 

The total expenditure of the Navy Department of every description, including 
the cost of the immense squadrons that have been called into existence from the 
4th of March, 1861, to the 1st of November, 1864, are 6238,647,262 35. 

Your favorable consideration is invited to the various recommendations of the 
Secretary of the Navy, especially in regard to a navy yard and suitable estab- 
lishment for the construction and repair of iron vessels, and the machinery and 
armature for our ships, to which reference was made in my last annual message. 

Your attention is also invited to the views expressed in the report in relation 
to the legislation of Congress at its last session in respect to prize on our in- 
land waters. 

I cordially concur in the recommendation of the Secretary as to the propriety 
of creating the new rank of vice-admiral in our naval service. 

Your attention is invited to the report of the Postmaster General for a 
detailed account of the operations and financial condition of the Post Office 
Department. 

The postal revenues for the year ending June 30, 1864, amounted to 



ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 9 

$12,43S,253 78, and the expenditures to $12,644, 7S6 20; tlie excess of expen- 
ditures over receipts being $206,652 42. 

The views presented by the Postmaster General on the subject of special 
grants by the government in aid of the establishment of new lines of ocean mail 
steamships, and the policy he recommends for the development of increased 
commercial intercourse with adjacent and neighboring countries, should receive 
the careful consideration of Congress. 

It is of noteworthy interest that the steady expansion of population, improve- 
ment, and governmental institutions over the new and unoccupied portions of 
our country have scarcely been checked, much less impeded or destroyed, by oat- 
great civil war, which at first glance would seem to have absorbed almost the 
entire energies of the nation. 

The organization and admission of the State of Nevada has been completed 
in conformity with law, and thus our excellent system is firmly established in 
the mountains, which once seemed a barren and uninhabitable waste between 
the Atlantic States and those which have grown up on the coast of the Pacific 
ocean. 

The Territories of the Union are generally in a condition of prosperity and 
rapid growth. Idaho and Montana, by reason of their great distance and the 
interruption of communication with them by Indian hostilities, have been only 
partially organized j but it is understood that these difficulties are about to 
disappear, which will permit their governments, like those of the others, to 
go into speedy and full operation. 

As intimately connected with, and promotive of, this material growth of the 
nation, I ask the attention of Congress to the valuable information and import- 
ant recommendations relating to the public lands, Indian affairs, the Pacific 
railroad, and mineral discoveries contained in the report of the Secretary of the 
Interior, which is herewith transmitted, and which report also embraces the 
subjects of patents, pensions, and other topics of public interest pertaining to 
his department. 

The quantity of public land disposed of during the five quarters ending on 
the 30th of September last was 4,221,342 acres, of which 1,538,614 acres were 
entered under the homestead law. The remainder was located with military 
land warrants, agricultural scrip certified to States for railroads, and sold for 
cash. The cash received from sales and location fees was $1,019,446. 

The income from sales during the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1864, was 
§678,007,21, against §136,077,95 received during the preceding year. The 
aggregate number of acres surveyed during the year has been equal to the 
quantity disposed of; and there is open to settlement about 133,000,000 acres 
of surveyed land. 

The great enterprise of connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific States by 
railways and telegraph lines has been entered upon with a vigor that gr 
assurance of success, notwithstanding the embarrassments arising from the pre- 
vailing high prices of materials and labor. The route of the main line of tin; 



10 ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT 

road has been definitely located for one hundred miles westward from the initial 
point at Omaha City, Nebraska, and a preliminary location of the Pacific rail- 
road of California has been made from Sacramento eastward to the great bend 
of the Truckee river, in Nevada. 

Numerous discoveries of gold, silver, and cinnabar mines have been added to 
the many heretofore known, and the country occupied by the Sierra Nevada and 
Rocky mountains, and the subordinate ranges, now teems with enterprising la- 
bor, which is richly remunerative. It is believed that the product of the mines 
of precious metals in that region has, during the year, reached, if not exceeded, 
one hundred millions in value. 

It was recommended in my last annual message that our Indian system be 
remodelled. Congress, at its last session, acting upon the recommendation, did 
provide for reorganizing the system in California, and it is believed that under 
the present organization the management of the Indians there will be attended 
with reasonable success. Much yet remains to be done to provide for the proper 
government of the Indians in other parts of the country to render it secure for 
the advancing settler, and to provide for the welfare of the Indian. The Sec- 
retary reiterates his recommendations, and to them the attention of Congress is 
invited. 

The liberal provisions made by Congress for paying pensions to invalid 
soldiers and sailors of the republic, and to the widows, orphans, and dependent 
mothers of those who have fallen in battle, or died of disease contracted, or of 
wounds received in the service of their country, have been diligently adminis- 
tered. There have been added to the pension rolls, during the year ending the 
30th day of June last, the names of 16,770 invalid soldiers, and of 271 disabled 
seaman, making the present number of army invalid pensioners 22,767, and of 
navy invalid pensioners 712. 

Of widows, orphans, and mothers, 22,193 have been placed on the army pen- 
sion rolls, and 248 on the navy rolls. The present number of army pensioners 
of this class is 25,433, and of navy pensioners 793. At the beginning of the 
year the number of revolutionary pensioners was 1,430 ; only twelve of them 
were soldiers, of whom seven have since died. The remainder are those who, 
under the law, receive pensions because of relationship to revolutionary soldiers. 
During tbe year ending the 30th of June, 1864, $4,504,616 92 have been paid 
to pensioners of all classes. 

I cheerfully commend to your continued patronage the benevolent institu- 
tions of the District of Columbia which have hitherto been established or fos- 
tered by Congress, and respectfully refer, for information concerning them, aud 
in relation to the Washington aqueduct, the Capitol and other matters of local 
interest, to the report of the Secretary. 

The Agricultural Department, under the supervision of its present energetic 
and faithful head, is rapidly commending itself to the great and vital interest it 
was created to advance. It is peculiarly the people's department, in which they 
feel more directly concerned than in any other. I commend it to the continued 
attention and fostering care of Congress. 

The war continues. Since the last annual message all the important lines 



ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT 11 

and positions then occupied by our forces have been maintained, and our arms 
have steadily advanced ; thus liberating the regions left in roar, so that. Mis- 
souri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of other States have again produced 
reasonably fair crops. 

The most remarkable feature in the military operations of the year is General 
Sherman's attempted march of three hundred miles directly through the insur- 
gent region. It tends to show a great increase of our relative strength that our 
general-in-chief should feel able to confront and hold in check every active 
force of the enemy, and yet to detach a well-appointed large army to move on 
such an expedition. The result not yet being known, conjecture in regard to it 
is not here indulged. 

Important movements have also occurred during the year to the effect of 
moulding society for durability in the Union. Although short of complete 
success, it is much in the right direction, that twelve thousand citizens in each 
of the States of Arkansas and Louisiana have organized loyal State govern- 
ments, with free constitutions, and are earnestly struggling to maintain and ad- 
minister them. The movements in the same direction, more extensive, though 
less definite, in Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee, should not be overlooked. 
But Maryland presents the example of complete success. Maryland is secure 
to Liberty and Union for all the future. The genius of rebellion will no more 
claim Maryland. Like another foul spirit, being driven out, it may seek to tear 
her, but it will woo her no more. 

At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution, 
abolishing slavery throughout the United States, passed the Senate, but failed 
for lack of the requisite two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives. Al- 
though the present is the same Congress, and nearly the same members, and 
without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those who stood in opposition, 
I venture to recommend the reconsideration and passage of the measure at the 
present session. Of course the abstract question is not changed ; but an inter- 
vening election shows, almost certainly, that the next Congress will pass the 
nioasure if this does not. Hence there is only a question of time as to when 
the proposed amendment will go to the States for their action. And as it is 
to so go, at all events, may we not agree that the sooner the better ? It is 
not claimed that the election has imposed a duty on members to change their 
views or their votes, any further than, as an additional element to be considered, 
their judgment may be affected by it. It is the voice of the people now, for 
the first time, heard upon the question. In a great national crisis, like ours, 
unanimity of action among those seeking a common end is very desirable — al- 
most indispensable. And yet no approach to such unanimity is attainable, un- 
less some deference shall be paid to the will of the majority, simply because it 
is the will of the majority, In this case the common end is the maintenance of 
the Union ; and, among the means to secure that end, such will, through the 
election, is most clearly declared in favor of such constitutional amendment. 

The most reliable indication of public purpose in this country is derived 
through our popular elections. Judging by the recent canvass and its result, the 
purpose of the people, within the loyal States, to maintain the integrity of the 



12 ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 

Union, was never more firm, nor more nearly unanimous, than now. The ex- 
traordinary calmness and good order with which the millions of voters met and 
mingled at the polls give strong assurance of this. Not only all those Avho 
supported the Union ticket, s« called, but a great majority of the opposing 
party also, may be fairly claimed to entertain, and to be actuated by, the same- 
purpose. It is an unanswerable argument to this effect, that no candidate for 
any office whatever, high or low, has ventured to seek votes on the avowal 
that he was for giving up the Union. There have been much impugning of 
motives, and much heated controversy as to the proper means and best mode of 
advancing the Union cause; but on the distinct issue of Union or no Union 
the politicians have shown their instinctive knowledge that there is no diversity 
among the people. In affording the people the fair opportunity of showing, 
one to another and to the world, this firmness and unanimity of purpose, the 
election has been of vast value to the national cause. 

The election has exhibited another fact not less valuable to be known — the 
fact that we do not approach exhaustion in the most important branch of na- 
tional resources — that of living men. While it is melancholy to reflect that the 
war has filled so many graves, and carried mourning to so many hearts, it is 
some relief to know that, compared with the surviving, the fallen have been so 
few. While corps, and divisions, and brigades, and regiments have formed, and 
fought, and dwindled, and gone out of existence, a great majority of the men 
who composed them arc still living. The same is true of the naval service. 
The election returns prove this. So many voters could not else be found. 
The States regularly holding elections, both now and four years ago, to wit, 
California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Ilampshirc, 
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, 
West Virginia, and Wisconsin, cast 3.982,011 votes now, against 3,870,22-.' 
cast then, showing an aggregate now of 3,982,011. To this is to be 
added 33,702 cast now in the new States of Kansas and Nevada, which States 
did not vote in I860, thus swelling the aggreatc to 4,015,773 and the net increase 
during the three years and a half of war to 145,551. A table is appended show- 
ing particulars. To this again should be added the number of all soldiers in the 
field from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Indiana, Illi- 
nois, and California, who, by the laws of those States, could not vote away 
from their homes, and which number cannot be less than 90,000. Nor yet is 
this all. The number in organized Territories is triple now what it was four 
years ago, while thousands, white and black, join us as the national arms press 
back the insurgent lines. So much is shown, affirmatively and negatively, by 
the election. It is not material to inquire how the increase has been produced, 
or to show that it would have been greater but for the war, which is probably 
true. The important fact remains demonstrated, that we have more men now 
than we had when the war began] that we are not exhausted, nor in process of 
exhaustion; that we are gaining strength, and may, if need be, maintain the 
contest indefinitely. This as to men. Material resources are now more com- 
plete and abundant than ever 



ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 13 

The national resources, then, are unexhausted, and, as we believe, inexhausti- 
ble. The public purpose to re-establish and maintain the national authority is 
unchanged, and, as we believe, unchangeable. The manner of continuing the 
effort remains to choose. On careful consideration of all the evidence accessible, 
it seems to me that no attempt at negotiation with the insurgent leader could 
result in any good. He would accept nothing short of severance of the Union — 
precisely what we will not and cannot give. His declarations to this effect are 
explicit and oft-repeated. He does not attempt to deceive us. He affords us no 
excuse to deceive ourselves. He cannot voluntarily reaccept the Union ; we can- 
not voluntarily yield it. Between him aud us the issue is distinct, simple, and 
inflexible. It is an issue which can only be tried by war, and decided by victory. 
If we yield, we are beaten ; if the southern people fail him, he is beaten. Either 
way, it would be the victory and defeat following war. What is true, however 
of him who heads the insurgent cause is not necessarily true of those who 
follow. Although he cannot reaccept the Union, they can. Some of them, 
we know, already desire peace and reunion. The number of such may in- 
crease. They can, at .any moment, have peace simply by laying down their 
arms and submitting to the national authority under the Constitution. After so 
much, the government could not, if it would, maintain war against them. The 
loyal people would not sustain or allow it. If questions should remain, we 
would adjust them by the peaceful means of legislation, conference, courts, and 
votes, operating only in constitutional and lawful channels. Some certain, ami 
other possible, questions are, and would be, beyond the Executive power to ad- 
just; as, for instance, the admission of members into Congress, and whatever 
might require the appropriation of money. The Executive power itself would 
be greatly diminished by the cessation of actual war. Pardons and n 
of forfeitures, however, would still be within Executive control. In what 
spirit and temper this control would be exercised can be fairly judged of by the 
past. 

A year ago general pardon and amnesty, upon specified terms, were offered to 
all, except certain designated classes; and it was, at the same time, made known 
that the excepted classes were still within contemplation of special clemency. 
During the year many availed themselves of the general provision, and many 
more would, only that the signs of bad faith in some, led to such precautionary 
measures as rendered the practical process less easy and certain. During the 
same time also special pardons have been granted to individuals of the excepted 
classes, and no voluntary application has been denied. Thus, practically, the 
door has been, for a full year, open to all, except such as were not in condition 
to make free choice — that is, such as were in custody or under constraint. It 
is still so open to all. But the time may come — probably will conn — when pub- 
lic duty shall demand that it be closed ; and that, in lieu, more rigorous meas- 
ures than heretofore shall be adopted. 

In presenting the abandonment of armed resistance to the national authority 
on the part of the insurgents, as the only indispensable condition to ending the 
war on the part of the government, I retract nothing heretofore said as to 



14 



ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 



slavery. I repeat the declaration made a year ago, that "while I remain in my 
present position I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proc- 
lamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free hy the terms of 
that proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress." If the people should, 
by whatever mode or means, make it an Executive duty to re-enslave such per- 
sons, another, and not I, must be their instrument to perform it. 

In stating a single condition of peace, I mean simply to say that the war will 
cease on the part of the government whenever it shall have ceased on the part 
of those who began it. 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 

December 6, 1864. 



Tabic showing 
( 'alifornia 


tin 


' aggregate 
election, rcsp 


•o/cs in the States 
cctively, in 1SC0 ai 

18 

US, 


named, at the 

id 1864. 

GO. 

S40 

246 


Pr 


aside 
18 

mo 

86 

16 
348 
280 
143 
*91 
115 

72 
175 
162 

42 
*90 

69 
128 
730 
470 
til 
572 

22 

c>:> 

33 

148 


ntial 

G4. 
000 


Connecticut. . . 






77, 


GIG 


Delaware 






1G, 


039 

693 

143 


-■ 


f)-M 


Indiana 






339, 

272 

128, 

146, 

97, 

9:2, 

169, 


235 
645 


Iowa 


331 




331 


Massachusetts . 


216 

918 

502 




300 
141 
703 


533 




487 


Michigan 






154, 


747 

799 

538 

953 




413 








34, 


534 








165, 


000 


New Hampshire. . . 




65, 


111 


New Jersey . - - 






121, 


] 25 




G80 








442, 

14 


]56 




664 


Ohio . 


441 




745 




410 




410 








476 


442 . 




697 


Iihode Island . 






19, 


931 

844 

195 




187 








42, 


811 


"West Virginia. 






46, 


874 








152, 


ISO 




513 














3, 870, 


222 


o 


9S2 


011 






17 
16 


?34 














5 -5 8 




T 

N 


ital 












o 


982 


762 
011 




4 
o 


015 
870 


773 










222 






145 


551 




*NearIy 


tEstiinatcd. 













_fcNly'l3 



LIBRARY Ot- UUi\<jnt 



; : .''-'. : - : .':-. : .V'' , .. , . , - ! '^> , -.'-.'.>,-. , -.'.'. , - ; v>,:'- 





012 028 360 1 • 



<||M 



